Vans Co-Founder James Van Doren, 72
A memorial mass was scheduled for Nov. 4 for Vans Inc. co-founder James Van Doren at St. Juliana Falconieri Church in Fullerton, Calif.
Van Doren,72, died after a long illness, according to Vans spokesperson Chris Overholser. He died on Oct. 12, but the family kept the news private, and the company only released news to its employees on the co-founder’s passing on Nov. 3.
Van Doren left the Cypress, Calif.–based company in 1984 and did not remain a major presence there, according to Overholser. However, his nephew Steve Van Doren continues to work as Vans’ vice president of events and promotions. His niece Cheryl Van Doren serves as Vans’ vice president of human resources, and his grandniece Kristy Van Doren-Batson works in the company’s marketing department.
James Van Doren started Vans in Anaheim, Calif., in 1966 with his brother Paul. Vans’ unique shoe design and sticky rubber soles were embraced by Orange County’s growing skateboard scene. The brand grew into a global action-sports icon, said Aaron Levant, president of the Agenda trade show. Agenda is the West Coast’s leading skate, street and fashion trade show, and Vans is one of the biggest vendors at the biannual trade event.
“It’s an American icon,” Levant said. “The Vans slip-on is a classic shoe. They can do everything from collaborations with Marc Jacobs to something with the skate community.”
Vans Inc. expanded into clothing and accessories for men and women and is sold all over the world. Greensboro, N.C.–based VF Corp. acquired the footwear and apparel company in 2004.
Van Doren is survived by his wife, Char, his three sons, Jim Jr., Mark and Eric, five grandchildren, and his siblings Bernice, Paul and Robert. —Andrew Asch
